First high end purchase; CRK Sebenza or Strider SnG????

[agony]

My first 'expensive' folding knife was a small Sebenza. I've been hooked on knives since, and own 4 Sebenzas. Bought a Gen6 SnG last year, and was sorely disappointed. The fit was near perfect on the SnG, but the finish was a little rough. A couple of peculiarities still bug me, and I've probably voiced these opinions on several threads.
1. Wierd lanyard hole placement. Still not sure what Strider was thinking.
2. With G10 on one side and Ti on the other, the knife doesn't feel 'complete'.
3. Pocket clip tight enough to tear your pocket.

However as odd as it is, I still own the SnG. It would be the first knife to go if my finances needed a little boost.

I'm glad I picked up a Sebenza as my first 'expensive' knife. Makes you appreciate/critique other knives--including custom blades--with a higher benchmark to match.

 

[A Dogs Best Friend]

Do you guys just sit around and try to come up with reasons to dislike Striders? Some of the statements made are not just wrong they are outright lies. If you don't have anything nice to say then shut the hell up.

Sorry if you've been offended. But, as GB has stated, this is a forum and everyone needs to be able to speak their mind in an honest and straightforward manner. Even if what is said is disappointing to some others concerning a particular product. I've heard some others on this forum say they thought the Sebenza was way over priced, and they'd never buy one (or never have another). I think they're nuts, but they do have a right to express their opinion as they honestly believe it.

 

[Shadow213]

Originally posted by Boink,
New Sebs, right handed AND left handed and in plain or decorated, are plentiful from a variety of online dealers.

Thanks for the info, Boink. I think that I should have more than enough $$ in about another week or two.

 

[Shadow213]

After some serious thought and research, I've decided on going with the CRK Sebenza....

The main feature of this knife that won me over is in the Sebbie video posted in this link HERE.

The difficult part will probably be trying to find an online retailer that has a Large Regular Sebenza in stock....does anyone know who has them on hand?

 

[DaveH]

Neil has a ton of them, fancy ones too

http://www.truenorthknives.com/tnk_1mainframe.htm

 

[Megalobyte]

Yes, look no further than Neil at True North Knives, he's the best.

 

[Vermont woodsman]

A few weeks back i was thinking of getting a strider sng because it apealed to the rambo in me, but after doing some reasearch and talking to some dealers; alot of what i was told was yes they came thru with some scratches' and not to expect sebenza fit and finish. So 400.00 is alot of money to me and i;ll only expect perfection for that kind of money. So for 330.00 i bought another sebenza and never looked back. Total perfection every time. In my opinion the strider price point is way off, id pay 200.00 for an sng but not 400.00, for 400.00 now you are in custom teritory. As far as the whole hardcore thing with strider...come on...ive yet to ever hear of anyone ever breaking a sebenza. As far as striders coming with scratches and people saying dont worry its meant to be used hard, come on now, would that ever fly if you bought a 90,000 hummer with a gouge in the door panel...no i dont think it would.

 

[tomsch]

I just picked up a large Classic from Bestknives.com. It was shipped that very day. Great service!

 

[Shadow213]

I definitely think that I have found my first high end purchase....

 

[nitrox1]

I definitely think that I have found my first high end purchase....

You will be happy with your Sebbie purchase. They make excellent knives. I own and carry several different Sebbie's and Striders. I like them both very much for different reasons. Both are excellent hard use knives. Bumping up your knife buying price point only hurts the first time.

Happy collecting,
John...

 

[NervousXtian]

I woulda bought the SnG. The fit and finish on mine is fine, I'm not scared to use it while cutting ANYTHING, and it cut's like a champ.

There's just a lotta Strider haters on the forums here for some reason.

If you like hard assed hardcore rock solid folders, buy a Strider. If you don't, then don't. They ain't built to look "pretty".. but some guys like "pretty" knives.

It's a free country.

 

[Boink]

Not for anything, but there's a lot of Sebenza haters here too, if an opposing view of a knife constitutes hate. That's a strong word and misused, as was a prior post from another claiming lies. You'll see plenty of long threads slamming Sebenzas in this forum. People are free to express themselves without reprisal and they do. Both Strider and CRK enjoy a legion of ardent loyal followers. They both also have those opposers that can't see paying the amounts both companies command and get.

 

[A Dogs Best Friend]

but some guys like "pretty" knives.

If you want a "pretty knife," get a William Henry.

 

[runT1ME]

Ok, I'm nowhere near qualified to have an opinion, but from having handled both of these knives for oh, around 30 seconds at my local knife dealer, i'll chime in anyways.

First of all, 300+ bucks on a knife is a little rich for me, I'm moving up to a Spyderco Manix next, and I think it should suit me just fine. Now, the thing is, the CRK Sebeza just didn't *do* anything for me. :footinmou I wasn't tempted to even buy it if it was 175 bucks. Sure it was nice, well made, but it was sort of boring. On the other hand, the strider grabbed my attention and was fun to hold, etc.

Someone mentioned William Henry, I've never held one of those, but at least they look very nice and distinct and engaging.

Good luck with your choice.

 

[USAFSP]

We can all agree to disagree. Some of us are discriminating Strider users, and others are Sebenza guys. I can agree that there have been more people complaining about SNG bugs, but they are worked out as soon as they are sent in. Mine is perfect, and has been used very hard. Also, if I am not mistaken the SNG hasn't been around as long as the Sebenza. I wish that the Sebenzas' that I had grew on me. I would like to be able to see what the other guys see.

 

[A Dogs Best Friend]

We can all agree to disagree.

I've been buying and selling knives on an informal, collector basis for about fifteen years or so. I've noticed during this process that there has been a very personal Psychological machination going on with regards to my collecting/uncollecting journey. Maybe this is just me, but I think all along I've been looking for the perfect knife during this whole process. I buy, use, study the knife in question, and finally realize that, no, this is not the perfect knife. I always seem to find a flaw. It might be design or materials, execution of the design or materials, too big/small, too delicate, too heavy, too thick, the locking mechanism bothers me, onandon...andon.

My personal "perfection/satisfaction" mental state was finally reached with my first Mnandi. Then matched by my first Sebenza. Eventually, I ended up selling all my other remaining knives and just bought more CRK's. When I look at and use my CRK knives I can find no flaws, nothing that makes me restless for something "better." To me, I've arrived at the perfect knife with the Sebenza and Mnandi and Psychologically, I can "rest" with my CRK's. I think lots of guys out there would agree with me on that point. Or would say, "yeah, that's it. I feel the same way."

But not everybody. No problem. Other guys are looking for something else to satisfy thier personal idea of perfection in a knife. Obviously, some people want a Strider, or a Microtech or a Spyderco. Some people just want a sturdy, useful tool. It's all OK. If we all wanted the same thing only one knife company would be in business, and this forum would be boring as hell! I'm glad we disagree on so many points. That means better, much more fascinating arguments. More "fire in the forum!" And a lot more fun.

Just as long as we remember what Patrick Swayze said in 'Roadhouse,' "The first rule is to Be Nice. The Second rule is to Be Nice." I think the third rule was to not be nice when Pat said to not be nice, but as far as I know, he's not a member of this forum.

 

[marauder220]

Very well put, and also very true in my case as well.

 

[Vermont woodsman]

Very well said, I can understand how people like striders, they are cool looking. Its just for me Im satisfied by perfection and the sebenza offers me what i want time and time again. Some guys are strider guys , some guys are sebenza guys; but im the end we are all friends and all knife guys, and thats what makes this forum so cool.

 

[nitrox1]

Some guys are strider guys , some guys are sebenza guys; but im the end we are all friends and all knife guys, and thats what makes this forum so cool.

Some of us are both! I'd never be able to decide between the two. Fortunately, I don't have to. I also couldn't agree more with your statement about what makes the knife forums cool!

Take care,
John...

 

[Shadow213]

It's been a couple of weeks, but I finally got around to ordering a Large Regular Sebbie that I found at plazacutlery(had six in stock) yesterday. Dan is someone that I will definitely do business with again.

I was so anxious to get my first CRK in my hands that I paid the $35 for overnight shipping! Now it's 1:30 am and I can't sleep.....my package should be here by noon today.

Thanks for all of your input, you guys....Sebenzanistas and Strider guys alike...

Here are a couple of pics...